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The chair of the electoral college for Te Ohu Kaimoana says it wanted a board that will make the changes iwi want.
The college, Te Kawai Taumata, controversially failed to reappoint sitting chair Matiu Rei.
The decision was slammed by Labour’s fisheries spokesperson Rino Tirikatene, who says the Ngati Toa leader brought wisdom and stability to the fisheries settlement trust.
But Mark Ngata says as part of the statutory review of Maori fisheries settlement structures, iwi unanimously voted to have more direct say in their assets.
He says Mr Rei was put through the same contestable process as the 16 new candidates and the other directors up for reappointment.
"I guess one of the key things of the Te Kawai Taumata board was that we wanted a board going forward that could make the changes that we viewed as necessary within Te Ohu Kai Moana. At the end of the day Matiu was unsuccessful, " he says.
Mark Ngata says he could see any of the four remaining trustees – Sir Mark Solomon, Hinerangi Raumati, Jamie Tuuta or Ken Mair – stepping into the role of chair.
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